The Governor-General is the representative of the Sovereign, appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Australian Prime Minister.

Her Excellency, Ms Quentin Bryce AC has been Governor-General since 5 September 2008.

Power and functions

The Governor-General exercises the executive power of the Commonwealth of Australia on the advice of the Prime Minister. Certain other powers and functions conferred by the Constitution include the powers to:

appoint times for holding the sessions of the Parliament

prorogue Parliament

dissolve the House of Representatives

dissolve the House of Representatives and the Senate in the event of a double dissolution

cause writs to be issued for general elections of members of the House of Representatives

assent in the Queen's name to a proposed law passed by both Houses of the Parliament

appoint ministers of state for the Commonwealth of Australia.

The Governor-General, ‘as the Queen's representative’, is Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force.

Many Acts of the Commonwealth Parliament provide that the Governor-General may make Regulations to give effect to such Acts. The Governor-General may also be authorised by statute to issue proclamations, for example, to declare an Act in force. The Governor-General has been given power by statute to legislate for certain Australian territories.

The Governor-General also possesses what are referred to as 'reserve powers'. These may be used without the advice of the Prime Minister, but are used only in times of political uncertainty.

The Queen may appoint an Administrator of the Commonwealth when the Governor-General is out of the country, ill, or when the position of Governor-General is vacant. By convention, the longest-serving state governor is appointed as Administrator.

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